Less than 150 Great Indian Bustards (GIB) are left on earth today, and almost 15% of the same are believed to be dying annually due to collisions with overhead powerlines. In April 2021, the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India in its landmark ruling gave clear directions to place underground within one year the overhead powerlines in the 'priority' and 'potential' habitats of Great Indian Bustard in Gujarat and Rajasthan; and until this is done, bird-diverters are to be installed on these lines.

A collaborative study of The Corbett Foundation (TCF) and Wildlife Insititute of India says that not just the GIB but ~30,000 birds die annually due to powerline collision in Abdasa taluka of Kutch district, Gujarat. TCF has identified the powerlines responsible for the high mortality of different bird species. It was essential to reduce the bird mortality from these powerlines until they are undergrounded, as per the Hon'ble Supreme Court's order. With the valuable support of The Habitats Trust's Strategic Partnership Grant (THTSPG) - 2020, TCF has installed  around 800 bird-diverters on two powerlines. Total four types of diverters have been installed on 11 kV and 66 kV powerlines, passing through important bird habitats in Kutch, Gujarat. The method suggested by WII and international agencies has been followed for the scientific installation to make it more effective. TCF team is conducting a scientific study to check the impact of such bird-diverters on the bird-mortality.

We acknowledge the support extended by the Kutch (West) Division of Gujarat Forest Department, Archean Group of Salt Pans - Jakhau, GETCO and PGVCL for the on-field support during the installation of bird-diverters. The video of the bird-diverter installation can be seen here.

Village livestock and wildlife associated with grasslands ecosystem are two sides of the same coin. If the grasslands are managed scientifically, then they may support both. Unfortunately, uncontrolled and overgrazing by village livestock are deteriorating grasslands' quality, resulting in lower fodder production. Looking at the increasing livestock population and shrinking grasslands habitat, this may become a challenging situation in the near future. Therefore, it is crucial to involve local villagers in conserving their pasture land and making them self-sufficient.   

Through THTSPG 2020, in addition to the bird-diverters installation, TCF has also developed a 12-acre Grassland Plot at Kanakpar village in collaboration with the Kanakpar Gau Seva Samiti. The area is very much within the 'priority' habitat of Great Indian Bustard and Lesser Florican. The main objective of this work was to involve the local villagers in the scientific management of the grassland through 'Controlled and Rotational Grazing Practice'. This work has been done on the Gauchar (village pasture land), where the invasive plant species were uprooted, seeds of local grass species were sown, and fencing was erected on the boundary to ensure the safety of the plot. The enthusiasm and commitment of villagers from Kanakpar are the strengths of this entire work. Within a few years, this area will become a safe grassland habitat that will be grazing free from June to October every year. Thus it will also become a safe breeding ground for ground-nesting birds. TCF team is currently evaluating the impact of this activity on local biodiversity.

TCF is grateful to The Habitats Trust for extending valuable support to TCF's work in the GIB landscape of Kutch through its Strategic Partnership Grant 2020.

Most bird species are either insectivores or rely on insects during their breeding season/chick rearing. Agriculture intensification and modernization have affected a large number of bird species exemplifying agro-pastoral ecosystems. It is a need of the hour to have farmers' support for the long term conservation of the biodiversity associated with farmlands. With the help of THTSPG 2020, TCF has expanded its WFAA program, and now we are working with ten farmers in GIB priority areas. These farmers are cultivating their crops without using pesticides. TCF provides them biopesticides which protect the crop from pest but at the same time does not leave the hazardous effect on the overall biodiversity. On the other hand, farmers' investment is reduced and the yield is sold at a higher rate as it is organic, though not certified but grown without pesticides. Thus farmers are also in profit, and on the other hand, they are contributing to biodiversity. This year we have provided farmers with seeds of groundnuts and biopesticides. Though the rainfall was poor this year, all the farmers and TCF team are still hopeful for the success of this effort. TCF team is currently conducting surveys to evaluate the impact of this work on biodiversity.

WORKING WITH THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES BEFORE THE

ANNUAL FLOODING IN KAZIRANGA

Kaziranga National Park Authority prepares for annual flooding a few months before the expected flooding period. TCF has been a close partner of the park for the last eight years in mitigating the challenges that annual flooding brings. Capacity building of various stakeholders, mainly Local Protection Squad (at Laokhowa Burhachapori wildlife sanctuaries), Village Defense Party (along Kaziranga National Park) and rural volunteers, was undertaken in July and August TCF. The Local Protection Squad (LPS) were trained to help evacuate and protect herpetofauna that venture into human settlements and risk being killed. Both LPS and VDP members were provided gears to protect them from rain and a powerful torchlight for night patrolling. Towards the end of August, a milder version of annual flooding has finally touched upon Kaziranga to recharge its wetlands and cleanse the invasive plants. Despite being mild in nature, it has triggered the normal behavioural movement of wild animals towards the Karbi hills in the south crossing National Highway 715 (formerly NH 37). TCF has joined hands with the park personnel to secure the Haldibari corridor in the Kohora Range for the safe passage of elephants, rhinos, buffaloes, and deer. At the same time, village-level meetings are being organized by TCF in the fringe villages of the park, advising people to restrain dogs in the villages from chasing stressed wild animals.